Nautical apparatus.



H. HUNTINGTON.

NAUTICAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DB0. 2s, 190s.

Patented Apr. 14, 1914.

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HOV/'ARD HUNTINGTGN, OF PRINCFTON, NEW JERSEY.

NAUTICAL APPARATUS.

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Application ilffd Dtrcembfr 23. 1908.

tuin lniprmtnient in Nuutit'zil ppurntus. t

, un thtx tnto truni whith thtl gunt approaches,

This invvntitm rtflzitts to nppuruttm tur navigating fluitl nittliu. :intl iu tit' 'purtitulur utility when tinthutlittl in tin :unfit-lv wliith ttrm I will usr t tt:iitni:tll.\t' hrreintittt'fr tu tltifluzthy un tirrtniuutitnl )'thitltA tir tltwitt tit' thv ntiturt ut un tttrutlrtnur. :ilthtiufrh l t-tinttfniphite tht` uw ot my inipl'uvtintuitts in tiny titll l'ttr whit-l1 thty tiro ntluptd hy tht-ir tintin-tf. its tur txuntpltr in the intrigu- An iin inrttint tih`ttrt ntf niv inttntittn i tt ptntuturtttt nitttirtz power, und also fur the prmitltl t'ur u ltigh"tlcgfrrtl ttf luttrtil stir bility in luut-lt a, tltfriro, zintl particularly tti tivuitl the tliblurhmg vllt-rt ult ltittrttl lQuatre tit' wintl, or Currents. whit'li huw lnrtttutitutf l Specification nf Letters Patent.

lziltntttl Apr. 14.1911.

Seriul No, G8317A l t t l ltflitltlrit'y will lu tu tilt thv tlcviti'tx urtuuitl its lttngituthnul :i\i,-: :intl ttrtilt tluwnwttrtl :it ttf tip or lungitutlnntl uuttr tttlg the wing Inf-tt :intl living (it grtnttir area tht tendency t r t l hrm ti source of (front thinurr tti thtti wrti- C h t lors of titrtitlrtnnes ttutstrur-tttl :is hurt lit-vn tht only tltw'ices uf tho thttrtit'ttr whith lmrtr thus fur maille successful flights` lin ttrtler to tict'omplish thtx tthtwtt tihjtct, :intl in t'ontrndistinction to they tuirlivr types ttt' :ttutntlrtunte just mentioned, 1 huw de- \'if1t\tl ti strut-tunx which I prttt-r tu prmitlt; with iin upright portion whith muy he np prttxinintfly rtrtituh :intl :in outwurtlly 0x lontltltl purtitut tht` .f ftutirtil t'lirrt'titui of which muy hv ,unhutunlifillv lttirizttmtil tu wttrtl it mittr tfxtrtniity. thtitx ltt'ingj protV rrnhly twn tif thtwti. wiuggjs tuv hrt'ut'tw :tri'nngvtl syiinnetrit'ullri with rt-l'trtfnt't1 tu tht, longitudinal :iXis uf thtI ftppurutus` thu upright portion being merged in untuittinhtr prtferably` or :irrungttl flostly atljutft'uit tu with other. wliilte thtx horizontal purtitnntv tixttutl outwnrtl trunsvtn'rtvly in opposite tlirttftiuns, the upright. purtitnm prtferulily nugrging into thtmitwtti'tlly tlxttntlttl purtiuns by :in vus-y t'urvt. which muy ht,l t:tm-

rt'tttfhtls tht, tutrotlrtnntl it will migugtx lirst the t'ur tht rust tt) press it down and h v thi.q minuti-uniting prtsstn'tx to muse imuwtlintt imturtttiun til thc latrrttl stability tif the silvlt :i high wlmfity, with relatively low tw ptuputtt ttt utttlting the structure in ns fvw pzirtft` u puuililtn :intl muchless complivntotl tl tu utrtttlrttuit,\ at; cttnstructed at prcstnt. is tu tliinini h tht` transverse crossstitrtittlu\l l :treu tit' thtx lt-vivo. :intl tu tlti away its fur :is

ptwihlt` with tito nvt'tfssity for stays, Whether tttltiutr tht lurni ttl coniprtssitm members, unuulliv umtlt of woutl und therefore ff large tliniuttttr` tuttnsion members of Wire or tithtr nmttrinl. :ill nl" which iii uddilinn tu their rtisutztnt't tti thc nir. tttltl lgreatly t0 the wt-tt'ht ttf tho :tppnrtttus un account not mtttly tit tlnVuuwu weight, but. that of their tilting. e-ttptirtwl tu trttlure rigidity.

"Vtt twwttuplish ilttx :tho'te object, I prefer tt prurith "t'iuyjr; tif gtt'titt'fl length Highta wist thun thuir t-tu'nhinttl witlth transversely ttt' thtx Avtit-outinn ut flight. and I prefer also ttt ustY :tu tlttpt'ii'tt-iptil invmhor of the body tt siultrlt lungltutliizttl Supporting member, of tht nrtturtV nl' tt spiiw. htitlthunt, or keel to whith tht rifa-S furniing' tht? sktlttun of the win1 um)r ht` sttritulty :u 'for txmnplt along' tht` lttwor etljv tit tht7 uprightl ptn-limi of tht:

i wint. This umin lungitut'lintil nitinhti muy will ittnuttlt trl Suns@ material litiriirgr ttm sitlt'rtihln rigidity. tintl vriv tough, tt titoid ltrt'ttlcugtt h v ltittrttl `drains, whtthtr accitlt'ntttl. ur tlnt, to tht weight of the optiutor :intl npttt'tttintr part@ ut lltt` :tppzirtitu` inns ninth its l prttl't'r tu tttnstitute this uitinlttt' llit inuit: '.upptnti for tht: Weight@ tnriitttl by tlitty :ttrtitlrtnntfl whit-h in addition tu the tipcrultn' :intl tithtu' piisatengers will usually lut) ltlf) comprise one or more motors with their pro- ';'e.llers, shafts, and other moving;r parts, the i'ncl supply and other supplies, and the @toi-ring and other controlling apparatus. In order, however. to utilize the valuable directive action ot'. a flexed wing surface, I prefer to provi a main supportk having such capabilitiixifi"I lateral displacement at predetermined points as to constitute means for delectiner the air-engaging surfaces from their normal position in which substantially rectilinear movement is caused automatically, to a position or positions in which the conformation of the surfaces will cause the aerodrome as a whole to depart from a straight line movement, rising, falling or deviatinglr to one side or the other in curvilinear movements, as provision may be made by such llexure of the wings.

Ordinarily I deem it suliicient to provide only for upward or downward deflection of the spine, preferring to provide one or more rudders to secure lateral steering movements, but I may provide in addition to the rudder for such lateral movements, means for detieeiing the spine laterally for this purpose, and .I prefer to provide rudders to cause upward and downward deviation from a straight course or to direct otherwise the flight of the aerodrome, in addition to the lateral or vertical deflection of the spine and in many instances in place of such delec` tion, which is not an indispensable feature of my improvement. Any convenient means for securing this bending of the device may he providedl and as one such means l may provide a flexible member, such as a wire, which when placed under proper tension will draw the central portion of the spine, or some medial portion thereof, ont of nor mal alinement, the wire being p.eferahly connected to the spine on each side of the operator to secure the aforesaid llcxure, under the action ot the foot or hand of the operator preferably, or such other means as may be provided for the purpose.

Among other important objects ot' my invention may he mentioned the provision or' means to permit the control of the mechanisins for directing flight in vertical and horizontal directions, independently of each other, and yet to enable the operator to coordinate these movements at {deas-ure by interactin;r eonneciifins between the controllingr mechanisms: also, as an object ot notable value,` the c istruiition ot the apparatu`l to permit movement in reverse direetions at will. the apparatus preferably hcing made yrmmetrical by duplication of the various operating parts at each side ot' ibl center. i

The varioir` features ot' my invention will he illustrated and ilc-crihed fullyv in the ar'Y companying :ii-:minos and specification and pointed ou( in the. claims'.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan vicw of an aericle or device of the nature of an acrodrome, in the construction of which my improvements have been embodied: and Fig. la is a similar view of a similar aero. drome, with wing-surfaces interrupted transvers/ely: Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the same aero'drome as that Ashown in Fil. l. Fig. 2a being a vie\\'.similar to Fig. 2. of an aerodrome having an air-gap between its upright and outwardl)v extending portions: Fig. 3 is a View in cross-section on the line a'-:113, Fig. l looking from lett to right` and on a larger scale: Figs. l and 5 are fragmentary views in plan and side elevation respectively of the device shown in Fig. 1, and similar to Figs. l and 2 respectively, but on a larger scale: Fifi. (i isa view in perspective, on an enlarged scale, ot' one end of the apparatus shown in Fig. Qi. looking from left to right: Fig. T is afragmentary view in longitudinal section on the line acl-x7, Fig'. 4. illustrating modesl of attachment for the wing sections; and Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary views respectively in vertical Section, partly in elevation; in side elevation: aml in horizontal section, partly in elevation; of a join l)c tween the spine and one of the pairsof ribs: Figs. l1 and'l are skeleton views in Side elevation ot forms ol' direction controlY ling mechanism: Fig. l-l is a view in vertical cross-section of a device similar to that ol Figs. l and Q. with adjustable stay members: Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view .showing thc interacting' controlling mechanism for the rudders; and Fig. l5 is a view in Side elevation of an aerodrome similar to that shown in Figs. l't, but without a longitudinal upright air-engraffin;1r surface.

Tn the embodiment ot' my invention select ed for illustration and description to enable ready and complete understanding of my improvements. and referring; first to Fig'rs. l-t, the parts designated hy the reference numerals l and l". may be described for the sake of brevity as wings, a terni which l use however without technical limitation, to sig-A nify portions of the niemhcr or members which in a device ofthe class described serve to resist displacement. of the device from the desired position, o" desired direction of progress` iu the im lium to he navigatcd. such as the air or Water. In thc preferred embodiment of my invention, thesc wings l and la comprise portions extending oppo sitely in a generally horizontal direction from an upright portion. designated in the figures` under description by the numeral l, and which in accordance with an important feature of my invention. in this pre` ferred form` l have dc\ ised as means to inn suri` .stability :if the deviceA as a whole. with special reference to its ability to resist the capsiling action of lateral gusts. currents llt) or other iutluenre. Sudden and momentauv. or `gradual aud itirolonged in duration. The owrturning artion ot .Quell a enrreut works under the near edge ot' the deviee from hi aerith, usually. and the purpoie ol` the upright 'portion lh in to present. tor engagerienty by the rui-rent. a ymrtzn'e ot` sullieient` area to develop a eountervailing' presure that \vill nullify the eapaizing artion eon1- pletely, and iu the drawings I have shown the Surfin-es so eonstrueted and arranged that the etl'eet ot' a lateral eurrent coming in the dirertion of the arrows, Fin. il, and

hoping-ing upon the portion l", will be to turn the deviee around its longitudinal 'ai until it exposes to the`aetion of the eurrent the upper Surtaee l ot the Wing at theI portion farthestl from the soul-re of .the eurrent. and owing to the greate" area expoSed by this upper surface the pressure upon it balances quieldy the tilting pressure on the upright portion and the requisite degree of equilibrium soon supervenen.

The dimensions, relative position. proportions. eontour and material ot the wings. may var)v eoneiderahl)Y aeeordingr to the exigeneies ot`.tl1e particular uw ot' the apparatus in which inv in'iprovementa are embodied. and in the construction of a deR vice intended primarily to serve as an aerodroine suoli as that. illustrated, l may. Where speed is a desideratum, eonstruet the Wings of greater length alongr the path of flight than their eon'ihined Width transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the deviee..`thus d in'iinishing the area o (ross-sectional reniatanee to the air. In the instance illustrated the length ot the wings is approximately three times their eomhined width and l consider a length ot' thirtyv feet, suitablet'or the tving` ot one size ot the type et aerodrome herein illustrated.

As one ConvenientI and Suitable arrangement of the upright. portion 1b relatively7 to the outwardly extendingl portions 1 aud't7 l have shown in Figs. 1156 (best seen in Figs.I

2. 3 and 5) a, substantiall)Y vertical upright portion or portions, vpreferably merging.r at1 the upper edge 2b into the inner 'edlen 3, 3a of the outwardly extendingr portions l and la, each ot the latter having preferably. t'or the sake of maximum stability. a eoneavely Curved region7 numbered Ltraint -'l-. respectively, adjacent t0 the middle ot' theapparatus or device. Eaoh of tl'iene curved surt'aees preferably merges gradually into the more, nearly horizontal portion ot1 its` respective wing. which will preferahlty have a rather flat concave lower surtare 5 and o to hold the air against lateral dia'ilaeement` while theouter margins and tl ot' the wings reapeetivoly will preferably he loner` than the, uyipermost` portion#A /l and 4. and may he tapered slightly toward earh end of the apparatus, as at, 7 and 7, (see Fine.

1 and 1l when. in aeeordaneo will; :i ...it E and ver)y important pob-.ilile feature oe' invention. l eonstruet my alrialwm.. fi. i reversible apparatue. rapahle of 'li eueh dirertion. endure. The `urlare the e iving maty lie nlntant ialv 'mit iw with :#uitalile, apertui'lw a ,diou'n :it H and fl in FQS. liti. to revolve tim opiiudoi iiioperatora. or other 'pag.wugni. and permit aereas to. und Control ot'. the opi-ral im: part. or the)v may he interrupted at our or more 11egionS, as at 8a and 9" in Fie'. l". altere there are virtually three ets of wine-s, num-- .fbl'd 10i, 10a; 11, 11a; and l2, lila; arranged tandem with translverselv extendingl tree Spaces 13 and 14. So alSo. a space may he left lie-tween the upright portion and the outwardly extendingr portiona, as t'or example in the modification shown in Fig. l. where a longitudinal gap 13h intervene lie tween the upright portion 1.5b and the oulwardl'v extending portions 15 and 15". of the Winge. ln some inatanees. where (rip- .Qizingr inuenees are absentV or negligible. it may he found deeirahle to omit the upright. surt'ure entirely. as in Fig. 15. the relereure numerals 1V. 1li. de 'gnating the mitivardly extending! Surt'aees ofthe Wings respeetivelv. and 1G the iuiright. skeleton. 'ith reapeet to thfse modifications, it Will sutliee 1o my thatI the linear extent of air-cutting edge is Somewhat inereaeed practically by inter ruptinp,- the wings transveinely, esperiallv when the Winn` portiona are at ditte-rent` heights or different angle, (Means to regulate sueh altitudes and anpjlen are shown in Fig. 13 and will he desrrihed herein after).

The gap eonritruetiion. lk Shown in Vin: 52-, permits the passage ot` a eonaideialile portion of the hlteral eurrent. iiuereeptinn' only so much as may serve to eoontei val! the eapsizing` prt-usure under the mode-ard wing. The .Qtrueture in tvhieh the upright Surfate is omitted entiireljyY will ferte here theair is eahn or the breeze steady. lor eren where a eapsize may oeeur 'and vet he diregarded.

The Strut-tural detail ot' the wing' and body parts of my device ma \Y lie ot an)v Suitable form and arranfreinent. and l have illuatrated. as one eonvenient. t'vpe of stru@ ture. a novel liudy which lf have devised il'or the purpose of confining within a relativeljY Small aggregate eross Hertional area the supporting and operating parte ot mv im proved apparatus. Fig. fl atl'ordinn' the, heat single illustration of thisA novel arrange ment. ln this preferred type. the prineipal structural memher is designated hv the rel'- erenre numeral 1T: it oxtend along;r the pall ot' movement of thii devir-e an a Whole. and niav lie denominated indill'erentlv the Spine or heel. For the salte ot luevitv. hut without tiny vlimited terhiiiral oigfnileation other `than the indieation of its eharaeter as a main longitudinal supporting member. Vroni it extend, and preferably derive their upport. tlnI ribs 1S, or members which eon- :siitute the ,-l\'eleton of the wings. and whieh may be if any suitable eonstruetion, being -hown in the instanee illufstrated as integral members bent to form the upwardly extendine portion lb attd the out ardly extending' portions l and t" ot the wings respeetively net-ordine to the novel prineiple of my invention already deseribed. the ribs beiner preferably arranged in pairs. with the mated ribs extending' in opposite direetious at their outer portions alreadv stated. ltn v Suitable material .may be etnpioyed in the iottstittetion of my improved apparatus. and as one example of suoli material l may use bambina on aeeonntof itsl toughness.y strength, relatively light weight. and a rertain degree of tlexilftility, where the latter property may be tound desirable.

I eonsider it advant'aeteous to form the spine 1T as a hollow member on aeeotutt et the resistanee to tatet'ftl Strains. and this ob jeet is well served by bamboo. which also presents a degree ot' llexibility that ean be modified to thedesired extent. The ribs 1S also may be of any :suitable material. as bamboo( and may be secured to the spine l? itt any #unable fashion. as by ponts t9 (see l "i4. 8h10) of suitable material. shown in the instanee illustrated as constituted by the ends of metal -straps Q0. eaelt st rap passing around the spine t7 and serving to eenneet the mates of a pair of ribs. the latter havingr end Slots 2l within whieh the posts l5) are seeured by Suitable means stteh as the lashings of tire tape 2Q and wire 23, These lztshings preferably extend around and conneet the rib-mates. and similar lashings it may be provided near the upper reaeh of the uprighty portions l ot' eaeh pair ot ribs, aS shown in Fig. S. (.)rdinarily I prefer to avoid so far as possible tlte use ot' stay inentbers extending trz'tnsverwli' ot' tlte path of tlieht outside the eontines ot' tlte wing surtaees proper. in order to avoid wind resistanee. but I contemplate the, use. it' found desirable, of suitable Stay members wherever required, as the lengthwise wires or members` 25 connecting the ribs as shown in Fig. l near the edges and in medial regions`r the zig-zag members tt for a Vsimilar purpose, and the roda QT. in eot'tneetion with whieh latter l ntay provide t ay members 2h in the t'orni ot transverse struts running upward and rearward trom the spine at 29. and a transverse strut Bt), these'forming` a truss4 in eonueetion with the spine li'. rods` 2T and ribs lt?. arrow :Jeveral pairs et' tvltieh the l`t'll`l l'lltly ('Ulllltl'lttll.

ln Fig. 13 tranrwerse staysttll in the torni of tension wires are shown. with adjusting means trl whieli may take the t'ot nt of tttrnbut-kies. vervingY to regulate the height, of the winglV sut'taees and their angnlar p osition relatively to the pine attd to eaelt other. One, or more staysl 323 in the form of struts may also be provided aeross the ribs. to re Sist upward deformation of the wings. The wing-surfaces proper tnay be eomposed of any suitable material. secured to the skeleton by any suitable nietes. and as one convenient form of `studien. have illustrated fabi-ie, Bit. sueh as muelin or rubber-impregnated silk, preferably made in seetions eorrespondingr to the spares intervenin;r between the ribs 1S. l prefer to seeure these seetions to tlte ribs4 retnotably so that individnal l eetions ntay he readily taken out, v

repaired and returned. or replaeed by Substitute seetions. two forumA ot' stteh eonnection being illust rated iu hij. T. at the right hand of whit-lt a sleeve is shown surrounding the rib It?. eotnprisingr parts :to and 36 Stitehetl or otherwise lashetbtoget'her at. 3T, and having mare'itn IBR to wltielt the seetions Si are 1 eenred removably by -suitable tastenings. as tlte la hings X9. .\t the let't hand of Fig. 7. the tasteningrs l0 serve to eonneet the sleeve partsy 41 and 42 with each other and ith the .Ceet'ions 3l and may take ,he form of lashings. `o that the rib may be readily Astripped ot both the seetious and Asleeves. I tnay tortn the surfaces in part or in whole of transparent material. stteh as eeilttioid` or may render the mttslin. or other snrfaee materiel. transparent. or translneent. by sttitabl frei. nent, stteh as by oiling, this tendin, t to promote invisibility when in flight, and also to faeilitate free observation by the operator.

ln aeeordanee with another important teatnre of my invention, I provide means for diret-t ing the movements of my improved deviee. in a novel manner in the preferred Form. although any suitable directing means may be utilized in eonneetion with wings embodying the improvements already deseribed. In the preferred form of directing mechanism I provide meehanisms'to direct the Hight of the deviee in both verticat and lateral diret-tions. and means acting when moved longitudinally toeect'eontrol in one of t'ltesedireetions, while sidewise movement of the means aets to eti'eet control in the other tlireetion. lreterably these mechanisms vomprise one or more vertical rndders, suelt as those illustrated atjl and 44 (See Fie-s. 2. it. Hand t4) to eontrol lateral movement. and' one or more horizontal l'ttddets, l"urli :e: thon `shown at ttl. 4T, 4S and 49, (see bien, l tt) te eontrol tnovet'nents in substantially tertings diret-tions. Vlf prefer to arrange tlte.--e Several ruddets so that they may l t aeluated respeetiveiy independently Losada@ eln enel other. and also so that their move ments may he coordinated and rendered intei'arting.

As oney .suitable forni of directing means, I have shown horizontal riidders preternllily mounted symmetrically, two at each end ot' the device, suitable means being provided to support these rudders rotatably, for which purportx the horizontal rods 3l) serre conv reniently. there being yone of these, rods at eaeh end :in already deserilied forming part. ot a :dirtigtlieniiig truss in eonueei'ioii with the spine l?, rods 2 and adjaeent ribsy t8. Yl'he ruddi-rs may he ot' any suitable oonstruction, and in ille instance illustrated are shown as made oi sections ot fahrit: stretched hetweeu sidepiei-es 5t), haring' apertures 5t as one suitable forni ol hearings to passi the atei-s Btl. and to hold these ddr-pieces at the proper distanee apart, and to gire the ronluisiie .legfree if rigidity to the rudders, the, .latter may have rinse-pieces 52 :it their :,pet'tiie ends.

its one suitable. form ot" eontrolling means to more the riulders, l hare shown pnshrods o23, 54, {if} and liti one `for and connected to eaeh of the riidders through the medium of the, eranks Iii' 'which in the instaure illus tiated project rigidly upward from the inner side-pieces of their rospeetive rudders, and with which the push-rods' have a piyotal connection preferably, it heini understood that l use the, tei-:n pushaod as a eonrenient designation and without technical limitation to the function ot' pushing' as distinct from pulling! or ot herwi-e moving to operate the mechanismseontrolled liy said rods or members. '['hoends of eaelrot these rods are preferably suhstant ially l'ree,lia\'ing handles :3S toi-the convenience ot' the operator` the rods at eaeh end preferably terminating near the seat 5t) which l prefer to provide t'or the operato' at ar conif'enient region of the spine upon which it may he supported hy any suit ahle. hase as for example a y\prin`iv traine (it), the seat heine' lshown in the instance illustrated as nearly central within au apertiired portion ot the wings somewhat forward ot' the renter ot the apparatus: as a whole, so that the head and .shoulders of the operator will in this; position of the seat he raised ahore the sui-tare oit' the wings, and the han illes 5S will he direetlv in trout oi" the, operator. \Vhen the operator pully the rods toward liiin. :i` for example those nunihered 53 and 5ft, he 'will cause the t'omiard rudder to he presented with their `forii'ai'd edgek higher than their rear edgeF,"the effect heinpj to direct the prow of the de\ ire up vard, and when he pushes upon the rods, the forward edges of the rudders to and iT will he tilted downward and the. device will follow in that diiietion. l'preter to niorint the horizontal rudder with the anti :lightlr tore-Ard of,

their inid-transrerse axis. inasniiu'li as l'i thisy construction when the ruddcrs are iiltu ed the prevenir` are somewhat haltinred. there is less strain upon the control rod and other worltinifr parta. and the ,steering` etl'et't is rapid. lt is to he noted that in the in- 4staneel illustrated either oll the ruddersl :d each end can lie moved iinlependently ot iis` neighbor, as well a indeoendently ot' the ruddersA at the other end ol the derive. and when one rudder is operated it will have somewhat oi a steering ettect in a lateral direction and will tilt the apparatus` as a whole. somewhat around its longitudinal axis, this attording a usetiil inode ot' countervv aetiiigfy the eJteet of eentrit'ugjal torce when turning or steering in a curved eoursc.

,its alread",v indicated, I pi-et'er to provide tneaur; to control the i'ertieal iiidders` lll and it independently ot each other and independently of the horizontal rudden; resiiee tively?, and this may he aeeoinplished h) any fiuitiihle lneelianisin, hut in the preferred form of eontrolling',r mechanism for the vertical rudders such as that illustrated in Figs. l-6, and best seen in the diagram of Fig. tit, l. provide means hy which the action otl the vertical rudder in nee at any time ean he controlled with, and caused to interact` with, that of the horizontal rudder or rudders in ose at the same time, it being preferable, as ay rule, to use the forward horizontal rudder or rudders tor vertical steering and the rear vertical rudder for lateral steering. Such steering may be accomplished conveniently hy attaching steering means such as the tlexi lile wires or cords or ether members (31v to the free rear end of the vertieal rudder 43 and running these rudder cords or members forward through suitahle direction eyelets, pulleys, or other direction devices G2 into a position from which the cords may be Carried over and connected operatively with one or hoth ot' the rods 55, 56. Such an operative eonnection may be of any suitable rharaeter. and in the instance illustrated I have shown it as etleeted simply hy toi-ming a loop in the Cords at the region (33 of their union, thi l loop serving;y to permit free longitudinal n'ioienient ot the rod 53 passing' through the, loop. while any sidewise movement ot' the rod is transmitted to thi,` rudder 43, turning the latter and steering' the apparatus as a whole to the right or let't. It' desired, meansl may he provided to hold the rods in adjusted lateral position, as for example the eollars tt-l provided at ditferent points on the cross-piece. or rest. Gf, and the rods may he provided with suitable deviees (itt, haring,Tv notches G7 to engage the eross-pieee tii and hold thel rod in adjusted longitudinal position. Thus when steering' Straight ahead the rods may he held in the poaition shown in hier, l with all the rudders parallel with thf line ol` movement. without the necessity for constant strain upon the hands of the operator. Suitable means such as the wire 68 mayv be provided to hold the rods down in des-hed position against the cross-piece` and prevent accidental disi'iiaeement from the retaining` devices. Both handles 5S may be grasped `with one hand. The vertical rudder tt may be connected similarly with the rod or rods :35 and 5G, by steering' members (39, so that the device may be steered from an operator or passenger occupying the seat T0 which is preferably placed synnnetrically with respect to the seat 5t) toward the other end otl the device.

I may provide as auxiliary or alternative means for directing the course of my improved apparatus, means for flexingl the device from its normal position of general parallelism with the direction of movement in a straight direction, and this will tend to cause curvilinear movement ofthe apparatus according to the character of the fiexure. Any suitable means may be utilized to accomplish this flexure, and as one convenient form of such means I have shown in F ig. 11 a wire 71 connected at its ends with the spine 1T on each side of the center. of the apparatus and provided with a rod 72 .arranged to engage the wire near the operator, and suitable' means such as the bell-cranklever 73 pivoted at 74 upon the spine, to press the wire downward, drawing with it the ends ot the apparatus and Hexing the latter into approximately thedotted line position shown in Fig. 11. If desired a similar wire f .nay be provided above the spine, similarly connected therewith, and arranged to be operated by upward movement of the levcin?, actuated by the operator through the medium of the bellcrank-lever 73 in the opposite direction. dien moved into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 11s the device will traverse i curved course downwardly concave; when moved upward the curved course will be upwardly concave. ln addition to the lever 73, or in place or" it, stirrups, pedalsI` or foot-rests 76 may be provided, so that the operator` by bringing his weight to bear on the foot-rests may draw down the ends of thel spine, the flexing ettect being augmented by the removal ot' his weight `from the seat which permits upward arching of the middle portion of the spine and connectingr parts, Duplicate wires and levers may be provided, as illustrated. at the ends rcspectively As a modification 'ot' this type ot controlling means. ,l have shown in Fie'. 12 a pole 7T with foot rests T8 connected with a similar spine 79 forming part ot a device which in other respects may correspond with that already described in connection with the spine 17, and in operation by balancing his .weight suitably between j, l l

the pole and the spine, the operator may flex the device as a whole upward, downward or in mid position, as desired, it being understood that when his entire weight is upon the spine` if the spine is provided with the requisite flexibility, the weight of the operator will be sullicient to Hex it downward in the middle, while if his weight be placed entirely upon the pole the spine will be caused to arch upward in the middle. and if evenly distributed between the two the spine will be straight. VI prefer to provide also mechanisn'i for propelling the device under its own power, and any suitable motor may be utilized for this purpose, As one convenient form of such propelling mech anism, I have illust-rated a plurality of propellers S0 and 8l, the position of which may be. determined according to the requirements of the other features of construction or at the pleasure of the builder, within suitable limits, these propellers being illustrated as mounted one at each end of the spine 17, andr as nearly as possible in alinement therewith, for the sake of securing rigid support upon the spine for the bearings 82 provided for the shafts and Si running from the propellers respectively t0 the sources 85 of power t'or driving the shafts and propellers The power is shoivn as having its source in explosion engines, in the instance illustrated of the five cylinder type. set astride of the spine (see Fig. 3) and havingr the uppermost cylinder lashed as indicated at 8G to the portion 1h of the adjacent pair ot' ribs. The engines may derive their fuel respectively through a pipe S7, controlled by a throttle 88 (see Fig. 3

from a suitable fuel supply such as the. tank S9 above the ribs and having in its bottom a pluralityot' openings 90 leadingI into a horizontal portion 91 of the supply pipe. so that as the aerodrome tilts, the fuel will find exit even though the supply may be at too low a level to run out through all of the opiuiingrs in the bottom t the tank.

I have shown in Fig. 3 suitable means 92 to control the sparking' of the motor, this taking' in the instance illustrated the form of an electric switch. 'from which wires 93 leadtio the engine lt will be obsi'rved t'roni the above description taken in connection with the drawings. that the operator is seated somewhat in advance ot' the center of gravity of the appara-tus and accordingly the motor controlling device 92 will preferably be adjacent the rib 1S. nearest one ot' the seats, and pret erably will control the engine at the opposite end ot' the apparatus. although I do not limit myself to `such arrangement except in the claims specitically drawn to such arrangement.

Suitable means will preferably ybe y provided to support. the, apparatus at a coi-- veulent round at such times as' the device derives it support trom a solid surl'are. and as one conwniint l'orm ot such supporting meansl hartshown wheels .l mounted in forks 95 below the .spine li. preferably in the region ot the :notorf`l and propellers, respectively, wlufie the weight is relatively high. These 'S'oiif mai' be arranged in continuation of a pair of' ribs as shown in Fig. (3, and braces titl an) be provided for the t'orlts. Slids JT (ser l ig l and il) may be proifided to serve a similar purpose to that ot the wheels, airl ma)v be ,straddled suitably (see Fig. to hold the device upright.

VHavingr described my invention thus t'ully7 and suitable means for carrying the same into eti'eel', wish it understood that I do not limit myselrn to the specificconstruction and materials shown and described, nor in it-neral otherwise than set forth in the claims read in connection with this specilication.

what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Nautical apparatus of the class described; comprising a monoplane hating,- laterally extending lsupporting wings, and an upright member extended tlightwise, said wings pl'esenting t'lownwardly a concarely arehed under surface on each side of said upright member, with relatively flatter margins, inclined outwardly and downwardly at a ilat angle relatively to the horizontal, so that the equilibrium of said monoplane is preserved under the influence of currents of air acting' upon said upright member and wings transversely of the direction of flight.

Nautieal apparatus ot the class described; comprising a thin upright wing extended tlightwise and dividing upwardly and outwardly to 'form oppositely extending wings eat-h having a concave outwardly extendin,r portion presenting a concave surfaceI downvardly.

l. ln an. aerodrome; mechanism to direct the Hight otl said aerodrome laterallyv and vertically, including' a horizontal rudder and a vertical rudder; and controlling,- means for said directing mechanism, said means comprising a member 'free to move bodily lengthwise and to swing laterally of the machine and connected to operate said horizontal rudder by longitudinal morements of said member and a tlexible tension member connecting said vertical rudder with said meniber to permit. operation ot said vertical rudder by lateral movement ol. said member; substantialiy as deseribed.

,4. In an aerodrome; mecha aism to direct the flieht of said aerodrome in vertical and lateral directions, including a horizontal rudder and 'a vertical rudder; and controlling means for said ,directinr mechanism, said means eomprismg a ongitudinally distance abort', the :airfare of the" moving and laterally swinging push-rod to operate said hori/.ont'al rudder by longitudinal lnn'enients of said rod and 'flexible tension members connecting said vertical member with said push-rod to permit operation of said vertieal rudder by lateral. movement ot' said rod; substantially as described.

.1nanaertalroine; a rudder; a controlling rod therefor. tree to more longitudinally and swing laterally; a rest vfor said rod; collars on said rest to hold -aid rod in ad justed po ition laterally; a notched de\iee on said rod to engage said rest and hold Said rod in adjusted longitudinal position; and a tlexible member to hold said rod yieldingly toward Said rest; substantially` as described.

ti. ln an aerodronie` or dei'ire ot' the class described; a longitudinal supporting member; wings` carried thereby and constitutingjr the main suiiporting means of said device when in flight; and means to delorm said sul'iporting member, and with it said wings, to control the dieetion of flight of said device, substantially as described.

7. An aerodrome haring its longitut'lihal axis extended tlightwise, and mechanism to direct the flight of said aerodrome, said mechanism comprising means to flex a portion ot' said aerodrome transversely ot' its longitudinal axis, and including' a rod operable at an angle to said longitudinal axis, and connections between said rod and portions of said aerodrome toward each end thereof acting' to draw said ends out of said axis, upon operation of said rod; substantially as described. i

8. An aerodrome; and mechanism to direct the flight ot' said aerodrome, said mechanism comprising a member connected near each end with portions of said aerodrome towardY the ends of the latter, and to be engaged by the feet of the operator to permit said member to be depressed, acting to draw downward tlie connected portions of said aerodrome., the medial portion of said aerodrome tending.,r to rise when relieved 0f the weight of the operator, and tending to bend downward below its normal longitudinal axis when the weight of the operator is taken from said member and Caused to bear upon the medial portion of the aerodrome; Substantially as described.

5). .\n aerodrome; and mechanism t0 direet the flight of said aerodrome, said mech-- :mism comprising a pole connected near each end with portions of s aid aerodrome toward the ends of the latter, and to be engaged by the feet of the operator to permit said pole to be depressed, acting to draw downward the connected portions of said aeredrome, the medial portion of said aerodrome tending to rise when relieved of the weight of the operator, and tending to bend downward below its normal longitudinal axis when the Weight of the. operator is taken from said pole and unused to bear upon the medial portion ol' the aerodrouie; substantially as dist-ritual.

lt). An aeroplanr minimising an upright member esleiideil llialile isc: a plurality of wing surlaees luming' Combine. under surfaces with llatter margins; extended laterally on each .side ol' said upright member and separatml 'widely llglitwise to present at' least three :iir engaging edges free from the inlluem'e ol antereilent surfaces; said wings constituting an aggregated tlightwise supporting sui-tare on each side of said support considerably in excess of the width thereof.

11. Nautical apparatus ol' the Class described: comprising:r wing-frames having an upright portion and portions extending outwardly therefrom f in opposite directions*` and longitudinal surfaces on said respective portions, said upright longitudinal surfaces being lower than. and separated from, said outwardly extending surfaces b a distance sutlcient to permit passage otransverse currents therethrough; substantially as described.

1Q. An aerodrome haring a main longitudinal supl'lorting member; ribsextending upwardly and outwardly on each side thereof and still'ening members secured lengthwiseof said aerodrome to a plurality of said ribs at their mid-portions; aEtransverse horizontal axis or member secured to Said stitfening members and attending` acres said longitudinal member above the level thereof; struts extending?r upwardly and out wardly and rearwardly from said longitudinal member to said axis and secured thereto, forming a truss; and a. horizontal rudder mounted rotatably upon said axis; substair tially described.

lfl. An aerodrome having` a main lonnitudinal member; ribs extending upwardly therefrom at intervals; sleeves on said ribs tapered ttightwise to diminish the air resistance of said ribs, and air-engagingI surfaces eoniprising a plurality of sections of suitable Hexible material, such as cloth, secured removably to said sleeves; substantially as described.

1l. An aerodrome having a main longitudinal member; ribs extending upwardly therefrom at intervals; sleeves, one for each of said .1-ibs; cloth-sections to till the spaces between intermediate ribs and to form airengaging surfaces to support said aerodrome when in flight; and means to lash said clothsections to said sleeves removably; substantially as described.

Signed at New York, in the county and State of New York, this twenty-irst day of December, 1908.

HOWARD HUNTINGTON.

Witnesses:

ALEXANDER C. PRoUDrrr, GEORGE L. PAFORT. 

